Wild Rivers Coast Alliance (WRCA), Bandon Dunes Golf Resort, and Brookings-Harbor High School are pleased to announce that Brookings-Harbor High School senior Brian Walker is a 2023 recipient of the Jim Seeley Memorial Scholarship - a “full-ride” scholarship to any Oregon university, college or trade school.
The Jim Seeley Memorial Scholarship was created to honor the longtime WRCA Executive Director in his role of bridging community needs with leadership and grant assistance. Learn more about Seeley. The annual scholarship is awarded to two high school students in the WRCA service area, which includes high schools in Brookings-Harbor, Gold Beach, Port Orford-Langlois, Bandon, Coquille, Myrtle Point, and Powers. Each student receives a four-year renewable full-tuition scholarship worth up to $80,000 funded by the Keiser Family - owners of Bandon Dunes - in honor of Seeley.
Brian received the exciting news during a surprise video conference on Monday, June 5th. The BHHS Bruin Center erupted in cheers from school staff at the announcement made by WRCA Executive Director, Marie Simonds, and Bandon Dunes Golf Resort General Manager, Don Crowe.
“Jim Seeley was a good friend of ours, a mentor, and someone that we cared for and still care for deeply. He really spent his life dedicated to serving others and was a man of the greatest integrity with a passion for education,” Simonds said.
Crowe shared what stood out about Brian’s application that impressed the scholarship committee. Recipients of this scholarship have shown outstanding character, high academic achievement, and demonstrated collaborative ability as a team member throughout their high school years. Brian is graduating with an Honors Diploma, high academic honors, and the Oregon Seal of Biliteracy. He is the ASB President and student School Board representative and was active in Leadership all four years of high school. He was a member of the school orchestra and the Wild Rivers Symphony. He was an active volunteer with the National Honor Society, Rotary, and the BHHS blood drive. He works at Compass Rose Cafe and plans to study nursing at Southern Oregon University starting next fall.
Brian’s mother Maria was in attendance, and both extended their deep gratitude to Simonds and Crowe after the announcement for the ability to attend college without worrying about financial matters.
“I will do a good job, I promise you,” Brian said. “I will keep in touch. I will keep you updated on everything!”
“I would like to say ‘thank you’ also for recognizing my son’s hard effort,” Maria added. “I am very proud of my son that he applied himself to serve others and he has a passion to learn and be a person in society that can help others, and bring others up - help those that are not fortunate.”
June 7, 2023